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enorden07
Member since Jun-25-10
243 posts |
Aug-09-10, 05:16 PM (CST) |
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"I got my first job interview!!!!!"
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Okay, I know that sounds really lazy...but I'm only 17 guys...and I have been trying for literally two years to find a job... I went out with my friend Taylor today because she wanted to go shopping - and I bought a book, of course - and we stopped at Old Navy and on the door it said that they were hiring still. I remembered that I had applied just a couple of weeks before and when we walked in, there was a woman standing with a clipboard in her hands and I asked her if I could speak with the hiring manager.
When she said that she was it, I was like...oh man, oh man..don't screw this up. And of course I'm dressed in black jean shorts, an orange shirt with a tree on it and my usual chucks (converse). I had no makeup on but at least my hair looked nice.
I asked her about my application and she went back to look at it and came back and asked me questions about my availablility and then she went back to ask the other manager about it and came back and said, "Are you able to come in tomorrow for an interview?" I was completely stunned out of my mind because I had never had an interview before and I was thinking...could this really be as easy as it is right now?
So I have an interview at Old Navy at two in the afternoon tomorrow and I don't know anything about clothes...well, not the fancy stuff. I would really appreciate some prayers, or good lucks, or anything that might make my chances of impressing them and getting a job greater!
Just yesterday my Mother had been crying while we were talking about how unfair it is that everyone who has a job, doesn't really need one and people who need a job, cannot get one. This was refering to other kids at school who's family has more money than they really need, and their kids work all the time but they don't need to. My Mom just got seperated from my step dad because he's Satan...and so we are paying for two households and my Mother is a transcriptionist...which pays by how many lines she types. I need a job so I can pay for my gas and other expenses, so it's not like I'm getting one so I can go to movies all the time like other kids...I need a job so we can keep our household afloat and so that is why I am busting with joy at getting an interview..even though it seems like people get them all the time.
I really hope I do well. I can't do this! 
Emily
(From Wichita) |
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hopeful soul
Member since Nov-23-05
10498 posts |
Aug-09-10, 06:18 PM (CST) |
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1. "RE: I got my first job interview!!!!!"
In response to message #0
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Hey Emily, Congratulations! I'm sending you tons of white light that your interview goes really well. Some advice, since you asked for it - and considering that I have worked every kind of job there is since I was 14. First, I want to say you already made an excellent impression on the hiring manager. Reason why people get called for interviews is because they follow up with the hiring manager to ask if he or she has had a chance to review your application. You were polite, concise, and you took initiative. This will carry you a long way through the interview stage. It may not seem like a grand job, but good impressions always counts. I recommend for your interview to dress up professionally, as if you'd be applying for a job in an office, which means no jeans, no trainers, and looking clean, smart, and professional. It shows that you have respect for the organization, for the hiring manager, and most importantly that you have respect for yourself. Working at clothing stores, having fashion sense helps, but more often than not that is not what they are looking for in their employees. They are looking for honest, reliable, people. Honesty is important, think your answers through. Standard questions they usually ask are: 1) what is your greatest strength? 2) what is your biggest weakness? for example, if you don't have work experience, you can say that your weakness is not having any exposure to a work environment, but that you look forward to the challenge and look forward to the opportunities ahead. 3) give an example where you have handled a difficult situation - the trick to answering this question is to highlight what your role was in solving the problem AND how the other person walked away happy. If you don't have previous work experience to draw from, use a situation you had in school, with your parents, anything. They are looking for someone who knows how to handle themselves and take charge of a situation. 4) why Old Navy? why did you choose to apply here as opposed to walmart, etc? It is super, super important to do research on your employer! Don't assume you already know everything about Old Navy since you and the entire world shop there. Go online and spend half an hour researching on who their parent companies are, which other stores they are affiliated with (like Gap, Bannana Republic). Know which lines are constant, which ones are new - it may sound over the top for a mall job, but trust me it would put you ahead of the crowd. I once had an interview with Crabtree & Evelyn, I gave a lousy interview, but they hired me because I was familiar with their products. I knew which lines they were discontinuing, and how excited I was about their new Wisteria scent Best, best way to do an interview is to relate a personal story with each question they ask you. The more they get to know you, the more you will stand out in their minds. And always have a list of questions prepared to ask them, like: 1) how soon will you let us know about your hiring selection?
2) what kind of learning curve will you put me on?
3) If over the requisite trial period, what will the company offer in terms of advancing my career skills? Remember to be just yourself. Managers have hired hundreds of people before you, so they know you'll be nervous, they also know how to spot insincerity. You don't have to have a burning desire to work at Old Navy, but clearly getting a job and supporting yourself is important to you, which is a good enough reason. wishing you the best of luck. Let us know how it goes! And whatever happens, remember that the interview process is good practice for all the other interviews you'll give in life. |
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Cheryl
Member since Oct-9-08
859 posts |
Aug-09-10, 09:34 PM (CST) |
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4. "RE: I got my first job interview!!!!!"
In response to message #0
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As usual, Amal summed it up perfectly!!! LOL Everthing she said was very accurate. Try not to be too nervous, but don't come off cocky or arrogant. In public speaking courses they will tell you to force yourself to laugh before going to the podium because it releases endorphins and causes you to relax. (of course, you would do this privately before the interview so as not to come off daffy!! LOL Good Luck!! I'm sure you'll do fine! Cheryl
St. Charles, Missouri |
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Patricia G
Member since Aug-9-05
1793 posts |
Aug-10-10, 10:00 AM (CST) |
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7. "RE: I got my first job interview!!!!!"
In response to message #0
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Emily, Wishing you all the best today. Let us know how it goes. Patricia G |
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enorden07
Member since Jun-25-10
243 posts |
Aug-11-10, 03:32 PM (CST) |
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11. "RE: I got my first job interview!!!!!"
In response to message #0
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Okay....since you are dying to know how my interview went..here we go...lol Well, I thought it went really well...despite the fact that upon meeting the manager whom was going to interview me, I accidentally ran into her as she was turning to go to the room where we were going, but I thought we were going towards the back of the store and I was thinking, "Oh no, I just blew it, all right there." but she just laughed and said, "Don't worry, I won't count that against you." Ehhh...haha. I was nervous, but I felt like I did really well. The only thing I didn't do well was when she asked me about fashion. ....I am one of those girls who doesn't really care, and doesn't keep up with what's hot and what's not. I just wear what I think looks good on me. And I told her that I often heard from my older sister what was in style on the east coast because everything that goes in style there eventually get's to Kansas even if we are 3 months behind. (the last I heard...flat boots that went up to the knee was really popular with a pair of dark skinny jeans). She didn't seem impressed. However, I made her and the hiring manager laugh quite a bit. And I made eye contact, but not so much to make her feel uncomfortable. I spoke my examples in past stories including marching band, art, and my "babysitting/housekeeping" job I did for my own mother...and in this case..I lied.
*Hold up*...in my defense, I couldn't even apply without posting a previous work experience...so my mom told me to put her down as my employer for a housekeeper thing.
....the manager assumed that she was a family friend and I didn't correct her. When I told my mom, I felt terrible because I hate to lie and she told me that it wasn't a big matter because I need the job more than I need to worry about a silly white lie.
However, the manager made it quite clear that my housekeeping job (which was real!) wasn't a real job at all. She said that it was okay that I didn't have experience in customer service and I made sure I let her know that I knew from experience how to be responsible and patient and I knew how to handle difficult people because of Marching Band..and my little sister.
She knew a lot about marching band...so I hope that she got where I was coming from because that program keeps you on your toes more than anything else I have done.
She told me that they had a lot of people to interview and the lady who did the training was on vacation until next week, so I will hear by then.
I really really really hope that she thought I was a good candidate for the job. I need this so badly and I can't imagine not getting it. And I didn't mess with my hair.  haha. And I sat like a lady, because my sister told me that it was important. Even though I already knew that haha. Please send me more white light...prayers...wishes of good luck and all of the above. I really need it. I stand by what I said though...the only thing I felt I did lamely was admit that I'm not really into fashion. I don't know....we'll see what happens. They looked desperate for work though. Fo sho. Tell me what you think...and I skipped a bunch of info, so if you have questions...don't hesitate to ask. Emily
(From Wichita) |
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hopeful soul
Member since Nov-23-05
10498 posts |
Aug-11-10, 03:59 PM (CST) |
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12. "RE: I got my first job interview!!!!!"
In response to message #11
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Hey Emily, Glad to hear that it went well. Think positive thoughts! As for white lies, I think most of us have been guilty about lying during an interview. And every experience counts so shame on the woman for saying that housekeeping wasn’t a real job! It’s one career where the employer must have absolute faith and trust in their employee. Not only do you have to be good at your job, you have to be reliable, consistent, and honest – otherwise people wouldn’t let you anywhere near their homes. It involves more manual labour than working as a cashier. I’m sending you white light that you hear good news soon. In the meantime, just keep applying everywhere! I know it’s no one’s dream job, but what about fast food, like Mcdonalds? A lot of my friends got their starts there. My friend “K” worked there after school in her senior year, which helped her put something solid on her resume. She later applied to work at call centres for a major bank, then worked her way up to being 1 of 2 Mortgage Specialists at a bank – all before she got her College degree. If your problem is that you don’t have work experience, it’s a good place to start. If you need a job ASAP, then they pay just as well as any other place. Keep us updated if you hear anything else!
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